Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Match the Historic Event to the Country Where It Happened?

Erica Garcia

Image: GeorgePeters / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Each country has its own story to tell, and one thing that makes the nations of the world unique is their historical past. From the French Revolution to the Boston Tea Party, there have been life-changing historical events that have taken place in different countries across the globe. The ultimate history buff's challenge is this: Can you match the historical event to its country?

Some of the most valuable lessons we can learn can be found by revisiting history. History brings us essential perspectives on our pasts, as humans, societies and cities as a whole. While learning about our past mistakes and past events, we just might discover a lesson so important that it's able to transcend the time in which it took place.

With leaders who guided their countries out of wars to dictators that seized lands to build their empires, the history of the world is filled with old stories that we can all take away from today.

If you think you're the kind of person who doesn't need to crack open a book to refresh your mind on the historical events of the world, then this quiz is for you!

Fed up with the laws of the monarch, colonists threw tea into the Boston harbor to show their rebellion. In what country is the Boston harbor located?

United States

France

Lagos

Spain

Britain’s tea tax angered the new colonists in the winter of 1773, who believed they deserved their own right to rule. The Boston Tea Party is one of the many events that happened across the colonies that would later lead to the American Revolution.

As a response to Pearl Harbor, the U.S. launched an airstrike on which country during World War II?

Japan

China

Korea

Poland

On August 6, 1945, the American military deployed atomic bombs over the city of Hiroshima and then later Nagasaki in response to the Japanese attack on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor in 1941. This event publicly declared the United States involvement in World War II after remaining neutral during the first few years of the war.

During The Cold War, a wall separated the east and west sides of which country's capital city?

Germany

Belgium

Lithuania

Mexico

In November of 1991, the fall of The Berlin Wall signified the beginning of the end to communist rule. The wall separated families, friends and lovers. With the help of US President Ronald Reagan and other world leaders, the wall which separated communist-dominated East Berlin from democratic West Berlin was taken down after several years.

Francisco Franco ruled over which country for 36 years?

Spain

Mexico

Cuba

Portugal

Military General Francisco Franco was the dictator of Spain and ruled the country under the concepts of a fascist government from 1939 until his death. He was a conservative but opposed the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. Similar to Nazi Germany and Italy, Franco used his leadership and military skills to rule.

In 1933, Adolf Hitler was named chancellor of which country?

Germany

Poland

Austria

New Zealand

The year 1932 saw Hitler rise to power within the German community as his charismatic speaking and appeal to the people allowed for his election. German President Paul von Hindenburg named Hitler leader of the Nazi Party, and his rule led to Nazi occupation in the most number of seated German government positions.

The Watergate Scandal led to the investigation of Richard Nixon’s abuses of power as president of which country?

United States

Russia

Australia

Canada

The Watergate Scandal was a huge political American scandal that resulted in an investigation of the presidency and its privilege and powers. The scandal lasted from 1972 to 1974 and led Nixon to resign his seat as President of the United States.

The Battle of Puebla in 1862 took place in which country?

Mexico

France

Spain

Russia

When Mexican president, Benito Juarez, stopped paying funds to imperial France in 1861, fights broke out between the two countries. The Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla is one that launched Mexico to its win and is still celebrated today.

The Wright Brothers invented the airplane in 1903. Where did their first successful flight take place?

United States

England

Canada

Australia

Having previously built one of the world’s first gliders, the Wright Brothers put their aeronautical knowledge to the test when they finally figured out how to make an aircraft fly after many failed attempts. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina was where their first successful flight took place.

The invasion of Normandy (also known as D-Day) was a powerful World War II operation. In which country did it take place?

France

Britain

Germany

Poland

Great Britain, America, Canada and France caught German forces off guard with a carefully planned air, land and sea strike. June 6, 1944, marks the day of the D-Day operation which led the Allies to victory during World War II. June 6 is celebrated today in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives during this operation.

Benito Mussolini used his Fascist ideals to dictate which country?

Italy

France

Japan

Greece

From 1922 to 1943, Benito Mussolini was the Prime Minister of Italy who allied himself with Hitler. His fascist belief and strong ties to the Nazi party led to a strong German presence in Italy throughout World War II.

The Qing Dynasty faced backlash when The Boxer Rebellion took place. In which country did this happen?

China

Japan

Mexico

Spain

The Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, a Chinese secret organization, led an uprising in Northern China to speak out against the spread of Western and Japanese imperialism. This society organized The Boxer Rebellion in an effort to voice their opinions about the oppression the Chinese were experiencing.

V-E Day or Victory in Europe Day occurred on May 8, 1945, after which country surrendered?

Germany

Japan

Italy

Poland

V-E Day marks the Allied victory in Europe in May of 1945. After six years of fighting, Germany had exhausted many of its troops, land, and supplies and surrendered to the Allied forces as a result, finally signifying the end of the war. Europe rejoiced at this good news.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., the volcano buried the ancient city of Pompeii in which country?

Italy

France

New Zealand

Madagascar

When the deadly eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred, the people of Pompeii had no idea beforehand that the mountain was a volcano, as it hadn’t erupted in over a thousand years. Although completely destroyed, you can still visit the ruins of Pompeii today on the west coast of Italy.

Which country was the first to put a man in space?

Soviet Union

Canada

United States

Great Britain

On April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union released Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin into space. He became the first human being to orbit the Earth. The aircraft he was in was called Vostok 1 and circled the Earth in 89 minutes. The Soviet Union made space history with this event, launching the Space Race.

September 2, 1945, became known as V-J day when which country surrendered to the Allied forces during World War II?

Japan

Germany

Italy

Cuba

By the fall of 1945, Japan had exhausted their troops and equipment after fighting for years in World War II. They finally surrendered to the Allied Forces in September, allowing for cities, families, troops and soldiers to celebrate Victory in Japan Day (or V-J Day) in both Japan and the United States.

The surprise military airstrike led by Japan on Pearl Harbor led which country to fight during World War II?

United States

Switzerland

Australia

Ireland

The attack on Pearl Harbor took place in Hawaii, the southernmost state of the United States. It was this attack that prompted the U.S. to join the Allied forces in fighting against both Japan and Germany after remaining neutral for the early years of World War II.

Joseph Stalin rose to power as leader of the Communist Party from 1922 to 1953 for which country?

Soviet Union

Germany

Australia

New Zealand

Under Stalin’s rule, the Soviet Union (on the land we know today as Russia) led its first attacks against Nazi Germany during World War II. Stalin challenging Hitler to this kind of warfare led to both nations suffering a significant number of casualties.

The first modern-day Olympics took place in 1894 and were held in which country?

Greece

England

Germany

Japan

The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece. Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin was the man who brought the idea of a celebration and competitiveness of sports back from the ancient days to the ceremonies we know now. From track to swim, competitiveness and shared sports endurance is something that continues between nations today.

On September 11, 2001, Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and caused a series of attacks in which country?

United States

France

Iraq

Iran

Two of the planes from the 9/11 attack crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. The third plane crashed near the Pentagon in U.S. Capital Washington D.C., and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. This event led to many new U.S. initiatives against terrorism and national protection.

Where was the Mona Lisa painted?

Italy

France

Russia

Scandinavia

Beginning in 1503, Leonardo da Vinci took four years to complete the Mona Lisa, his most famous painting. Similar to the city around him, Italy was a central hub for art and artists during this time.

During this Cold War crisis, the United States, the Soviet Union, and which other country were in talks for war?

Cuba

Spain

Mexico

El Salvador

In October 1962, the United States discovered Soviet Union missiles aimed at them from the coasts of Cuba. Talks about having the missiles removed caused the Cuban Missile Crisis and emphasized the importance of international communication. This political standoff lasted 13 days and was one of the major events of the Cold War.

The stock market crash of 1929 led to The Great Depression in which country?

United States

Italy

Poland

Austria

The stock market centered on Wall Street in New York City was a harsh scene of panic when the 1929 crash occurred. The Great Depression led to the country’s decline in food, health and shelter during the 1930s. As a result, many laborers lost their jobs, homes and loved ones.

Which country was the first to fly the first astronauts to the moon?

United States

Great Britain

Soviet Union

Cuba

On July 20, 1969, the United States’ Apollo 11 mission brought astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon. They placed an American flag on the surface of the moon and made both American and technological space history by walking on the moon's surface and collecting space material for further NASA research.

John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade greeting the city. In which country did this take place?

United States

Canada

England

Denmark

The death of John F. Kennedy is one that caught America off guard in 1963. At only 46 years old, he was the country's youngest elected president and had served for only three years before his death.

In which country was the legendary, centuries-old Stonehenge built?

England

United States

Canada

France

The circular stone creation known as Stonehenge is one of England’s most popular tourist attractions and can be seen for miles around in all angles. Built by the Neolithic people many years ago, the monument is preserved in Salisbury, Wiltshire and is open for viewing to all tourists.

Samuel de Champlain established a trading post in this river city in 1608. In which country was this located?

Canada

France

Mexico

United States

At the time Champlain discovered Quebec, the country we know today as Canada was known back then as “New France.” The Canadian state of Quebec still keeps its name. Located along the Saint Lawrence River, the predominantly French-speaking province is a popular spot for tourists.

In 1963, people marched on this country’s Capitol Building to demand job equality and freedom for all.

United States

France

Spain

Russia

With over 250,000 people marching for labor equality and equal rights, the March on Washington took place in Washington, D.C. It was one of the first demonstrations covered on television and the largest the country had ever seen. The movement shook the nation and allowed for more coverage on the country’s Civil Rights Movement.

The Good Friday Agreement signified peace between the United Kingdom and what other country?

Ireland

France

Amsterdam

Denmark

The Good Friday Agreement is a signed document stating that the status and system of a government within Northern Ireland will operate in agreements with the United Kingdom. From trade to security to over the border negotiations, this document is the basis for Northern Ireland’s governing today.

NATO is an alliance that brings together the military aids of various countries. In which country was this agreement signed?

United States

Canada

Mexico

Puerto Rico

Created in 1949 by the United States to provide a safe security organization against the Soviet Union, NATO — the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — includes the U.S., Canada, Britain and several other Western European nations and still exists today.

For which country did Thomas Jefferson write The Declaration of Independence?

United States

Great Britain

Mexico

Denmark

Before the United States became the United States in 1776, the thirteen colonies were looking to free themselves from British monarchical rule. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence as a formal letter to Britain. The American Revolutionary War occurred as a result.

In 1920, a dynamite-rigged carriage exploded on which country’s famous street of top businesses and bankers?

United States

France

China

Afghanistan

On September 16, 1920, the Wall Street bombing took place in the Financial District of Manhattan in New York City. This attack was carried out as an anti-capitalist response to America. Killing 30 people and injuring hundreds, this bombing was the deadliest act of terrorism that had occurred on United States soil at that point.

In 1789, the prison of Bastille was broken into, sparking the beginnings of a revolution. In what country did this take place?

France

England

Australia

Russia

On July 14, 1789, a mob of angry French citizens stormed the gates of the Bastille Prison in Paris, France, as the building was representative of monarchial control. This sparked the flood of events that would later lead to the French Revolution.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is known as “the start” of World War I. Where was the archduke assassinated?

Bosnia

Austria

Germany

England

The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was the result of the actions of a Serb nationalist angry at the government, which started a chain reaction of events between European nations. Angering leaders all across Europe, this event led to the form of alliances between countries at the start of World War II.

General Varela led his troops across the Jarama River in a fight for which country?

Spain

Mexico

Cuba

Panama

The Spanish Civil War began on July 17, 1936, and was the result of conflict between the Spanish Republicans and Nationalists led by General Fransico Franco. The Battle of Jarama led by General Varela was a Nationalist offensive against the Republican government during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.

Which country created the first atomic bomb?

Germany

Soviet Union

Great Britain

United States

Germany was the first country to create and build the world's first atomic bomb. Nuclear physicists in a laboratory in Berlin discovered nuclear fission and used the discovery of the sudden release of energy as a weapon during World War II.

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